Monday, December 17, 2012

Dewey Martin

Dewey Martin

Dewey Martin (September 30, 1940 – January 31, 2009) was a
Canadian rock drummer, best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield.

Martin was born Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff in
Chesterville, Ontario in 1940. He was raised there and the surrounding Smiths
Falls and Ottawa. In Ottawa, he attended Glebe Collegiate Institute, where he
was elected head boy.

Martin started playing drums when he was about 13 years old.
His first band was a high school outfit, The Jive Rockets, which also featured
guitarist Vern Craig, later a member of the Staccatos. He soon progressed and
played with various dance and rockabilly groups in the Ottawa Valley area,
including Bernie Early & the Early Birds. Through rock and roll singer Andy
Wilson, a veteran of the Ottawa-area scene, he was allowed a short guest
appearance singing "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" backed by Wilson's
group, Larry Lee and the Leesures, during the Leesures' appearance as part of
on a package C&W show in Ottawa in 1960. A Nashville producer was
sufficiently impressed and agreed to record him in Martin was born Walter
Milton Dwayne Midkiff in Chesterville, Ontario in 1940. He was raised there and
the surrounding Smiths Falls and Ottawa.[2] In Ottawa, he attended Glebe
Collegiate Institute, where he was elected head boy.

Martin started playing drums when he was about 13 years old.
His first band was a high school outfit, The Jive Rockets, which also featured
guitarist Vern Craig, later a member of the Staccatos. He soon progressed and
played with various dance and rockabilly groups in the Ottawa Valley area,
including Bernie Early & the Early Birds. Through rock and roll singer Andy
Wilson, a veteran of the Ottawa-area scene, he was allowed a short guest
appearance singing. Martin became the last member to join the legendary group
at its founding. Along with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, he was one of only
three musicians to stay with the group from its inception in April 1966 to its
disbandment on May 5, 1968. During his time with the group, Martin also did
session work for The Monkees.

In concert, he sang covers of Wilson Pickett's In The
Midnight Hour and Richie Furay's "Nobody's Fool" and "Good Time
Boy". The latter appeared on the band's second album, Buffalo Springfield
Again. He also sang Neil Young's "Mr Soul" as the introduction to
Young's "Broken Arrow" on the same album and backing vocals on the
band's biggest hit, "For What It's Worth".